Ancient Egyptian Design Tactics

Lesson 1: Vietnamese Figure Study

Start with a clear silhouette built almost entirely from straight lines. Extend the lines with a ruler and look for the relationships between them.

Vietnamese Figure Study. Pencil on paper. Original: 10 × 8 cm.

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Try Lesson 2: 1st Steps →

Lesson 1 practice sheet: Vietnamese Figure Study by Tommy Hoppe, with geometric construction lines.

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Two free practice sheets

Begin with the figure, then try 1st Steps. Sign up once to download both lessons in Letter or A4.

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  1. 01

    Print the sheet

    Choose Letter or A4 and print at actual size. Have a pencil, ruler and compass ready.

  2. 02

    Try one tactic

    Follow a lesson, then work through one construction yourself. Keep your guide lines and false starts.

  3. 03

    Bring it back

    Return here after trying the drawing. Upload your analysis and a question for Tommy’s feedback.

Start here

Five tactics to try

Watch the short versions here. Pause, extend a line on your sheet, and test what you see.

Watch the series introduction

Go further on YouTube

Longer videos develop the ideas beyond these five short tactics.

Composition in Ancient Egyptian Design, Part One (2:32) ↗

Visit Tommy’s YouTube channel ↗

YOUR TURN

Let’s look at your work.

Send a clear photo or PDF of your sheet with the lesson number and your question. Bring your construction lines and unfinished attempts.

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If the upload form does not appear, email your analysis and question to hoppe@tommyhoppe.com.